Comedy news: Such Small Portions's news

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What do you get when you put a bunch of the world’s most famous comedians in front of a camera and ask them to make noises? A beatbox video that looks something like this, that’s what. 

GQ have managed to bring together some of the most famous names in comedy to produce a beatbox video to highlight the magazine’s forthcoming Comedy Special issue. 

None other than Jerry Seinfeld, Ricky Gervais, Owen Wilson, Robin Williams, Chris Rock, James Corden, Charlie Brooker, Rob Brydon, Paul Rudd, Jack Whitehall and Russell Kane appear on the video, which was put together by the magazine’s London office.

Click here to watch the video

Speaking to Such Small Portions, GQ’s James Mullinger said: “When GQ editor Dylan Jones asked me to put together British GQ’s first comedy issue, I was delighted. Having spent the last seven years on the stand up circuit as well as working at GQ, it was my dream gig.

“The film that I produced featuring the funniest men in the universe beatboxing was a particular highlight - GQ’s photographer Gavin Bond and I had the idea over drinks in New York and it was fascinating seeing what each comedian came up with. The iPad edition of the magazine also features the comics telling us their favourite jokes. The results have to be seen to be believed.

“Some of the comedians I already knew well, such as Jerry Seinfeld and Rob Brydon who it was great to see again, whilst others I had always admired from afar like Garry Shandling and Tracy Morgan.

“Collaborating with the biggest comedians of all time was a big change from travelling around the country doing stand up gigs in small clubs. Even though our comedy careers are very different we all bonded over a love of comedy and that is what makes British GQ’s comedy issue the best of its kind. It is a real celebration of all aspects of comedy from the geniuses behind the scenes like Seth McFarlane or Shane Allen to the actors headlining the comedy blockbusters like Owen Wilson and Paul Rudd.”

The special will be released on Thursday March 1 and available to download for the iPad from the GQ website.

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Michael Palin has hinted that he may be interested in returning to the comedy genre after revealing that he missed the writing process of the genre.

The comedian, who made his career with Monty Python, was speaking to Richard Bacon on BBC 5 Live about his latest travel adventure Brazil when he recollected what it was about comedy that he missed.

“Someone said to me the other day 'do you still write comedy?' I realised that that was what I enjoyed, was writing comedy,” Palin said. “I don't miss the performing side of comedy as much but the writing I really, really do miss and I thought gosh. Maybe one day I will."

Palin, who was talking to Bacon at the BBC Worldwide Showcase in Liverpool about the new four-part series on Brazil which is due to be aired later this year, said that travel held many of the same aspects of comedy. 

“It's a very good comparison. With Python there was a certain amount of freedom with that, you knew you were with a small group of people you enjoyed being with and produced results and I feel that with my team on the travel shows.

“Especially being in Barzil with these indigenous tribes,  people who have only been contacted 50 or 60 years ago. You can go there, it's not easy but you can go there, and they love you falling about.

“I turn around, whack myself on the low hut palm thatch and fall over backwards, for the next two hours they were laughing they thought it was the best thing ever.

Listen to a clip of the interview on BBC 5 Live here

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Sky 1 has commissioned a full series of Chickens.

The show about World War One objectors, starring Simon Bird, Jonny Sweet and Joe Thomas, aired on Channel 4 as a pilot last year, but it has been picked up as part of Sky's expansion in to comedy to air in 2013. 

The six-part series will be made by Rev producers Big Talk.

Simon Bird, Jonny Sweet and Joe Thomas said: “We’re delighted to be joining the Sky family to be making a series of our First World War sitcom, Chickens. It was the war to end all wars, and we hope this will be the comedy to end all comedies."

Sky's head of comedy Lucy Lumsden commented: “We have fallen in love with those naughty Chickens and think our customers will do too. We are delighted to give such a talented bunch a home on Sky 1.”

Big Talk CEO Kenton Allen added: “Winning our first commission for Sky 1 is a very significant moment for Big Talk. I know that Simon, Jonny and Joe will play a huge role in the future story of British Comedy and it's particularly thrilling that Sky 1 are helping them make the big leap forward with their own authored series - we are all very excited!”

Bird, Sweet and Thomas have been writing together since meeting at university and taking their show to the Edinburgh Fringe in 2007 and 2008.

For more details on Sky's comedy expansions, read our piece here.

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We tried our dangedest to ask Deborah Frances-White some questions about her new chat show, but Deborah had her own priorities that she wanted to address, as you’re about to find out. When she says the show – Deborah Frances-White's Ultimate Party, which starts on Monday 27 February at the Leicester Square Theatre – isn’t going to be staid affair, we’re very willing to believe her. 

So what was the spur to doing what is essentially a chat show?

It is, it’s a sort of party show. Hang on, my friend’s just turned up, so I’m managing both of you. Are you single?

Yes I am...

I’m going to set you up on a blind date, I think you’d get on.

Well, that’s great, but I’m gay.

You’re gay? That’s not going to work out at all...how tall are you?

Six three, six four.

She’s open to it, because she’s much more interested in height.

That’s great, but I get the feeling this is going to work much better for her than for me.

I’m really sorry about that. I haven’t really thought through what’s in it for you, I won't lie to you.

I’ve got two words for you: cute waiters. There must be someone you can collar.

Okay, I’ll keep an eye out while I’m talking to you, because you sound very good looking. And you’re gay, so you’re probably in great shape. Which is a horrible stereotype, but I bet you are though. 

Not so much, but I like you’re buttering up the interviewer.

Yeah, it's working isn't it? Anyway, my show will be a delightful affair. I don't want it to be one of those show's that's all, what are you doing, and what's that like – at a party there's much more fluidity. We'll be playing lots of fun games, like Hashtag Hashtag – Thom Tuck, our resident barman, will read out what's trending that very second, and we have to talk about it – it could be Justin Bieber or something really important, and we have to talk about it. And we'll have a clothes swap too, so we could get Emmy the Great to make Arthur Smith wear her vintage t-shirts. I think it's going to be riotous. 

We've also got a resident animator, David Trent. He's made the titles and will be doing interesting things with incredible animation. He's got titles like telly titles, but they're very funny, and during Hashtag Hashtag he'll have an animated thing.

We want our guests to have a super time – they'll all come in at once after some stand-up at the top. Like a good party there'll be hookups, so we're also going to reseat the audience for people who are single – maybe we'll find you someone there, put you together with some hot boy. Actually I did put together a gay journalist with a TV producer and they got together – they both got in contact after the show on Facebook and said, do you have the other guys' contact details. So the audience get involved and we'll have a lot of fun with them. 

That's a lot to unpack: you said it's going to be a party not just a chat show, but who are your chat show idols?

I'll definitely be more Norton than Parkinson, but I like to think it'll be Deborah Frances-White, and that will be its own new genre.

Is Thom Tuck qualified as a barman?

Yeah, I made him do a full course. He'll be throwing bottles...it'll be impressive. If you know his work and how much he likes drinking, this is basically his dream job.

You're talking up your party throwing abilities here, what's the best party you've ever thrown?

It was probably the time that a celebrity who cannot be named was hanging off my balcony and a ladder had to fetched as he could not be got up the way he went. It was like Michael Jackson dangling a baby, only a celebrity dangling himself.

How did he get out there?

A potent combination of hijinks and tequila.

Well, you can bring the hijinks and Thom can bring the tequila.

Exactly, that's the plan.

Dream guest?

Tina Fey would be an amazing guest, although she says she's a terrible party guest. So maybe...David Tennant? He'd be jolly good fun.

I like how you're not saying chat show guests: they ARE party guests.

Actually you know who the best party guest is I've ever seen? Richard E Grant. He doesn't drink, but he's the most extraordinary party guest. 

We're tapping a rich vein of celebrity anecdotes: what's the most name-droppy one you'd like to put out there?

Oh god. Tricky, you don't want to drop your friends in it. I once at a party sat next to Lily Cole. She had the longest legs I'd ever seen and the most extraordinary red hair. And I didn't feel intimidated because I remember thinking it was like comparing yourself to an elf. It was a Chanel party I'd talked myself in to, we went in more as tourists than guests...in a good way, she was like something from Lord of the Rings, like a whole other species.

Your anecdotes so far have included David Tennant and Lord of the Rings. Underneath the cool exterior is there a secret nerd?

I'm so unnerdy, I don't do the science fiction, I don't get it. 

Are you doing this with an eye on Edinburgh for the summer?

I'm not – I'll be taking up Cult Following, a show about my years as a Jehovah's Witness, between 14 and early twenties, so I'm revealing what it's like to be inside the cult. And I'm also doing a show called Voices In My Head, where I take well-known sketch and stand-up comedians and take them through an improvisational experience that neither me or they will ever forget. 

And how is How to Get Almost Anyone to Want to Sleep With You going?

About two years in the West End, done two UK tours, Melbourne, Edinburgh, Adelaide...it's done the funny but I'm now moving on.

After doing it for that long do you still encounter new problems? Or are you just getting stuck in to make everyone sexy for everyone else?

Yeah, I'm pretty confident at the show's ability to change lives. It's a life-changer. If you see it, you never go back.

How many emails do get like those from the gay guys?

Oh hundreds. Not always relationships, but lots going, goodness, I'm just so much sexier. It does work. 

Thank you Deborah. We should probably note that Deborah didn't collar any cute waiters for us. She was in the Jamie's in Canary Wharf, can anyone vouch for their cuteness? 

Anyway, the first Ultimate Party will be on 27th February at the Leicester Square Theatre, with guests JJ Whitehead, Sara Pascoe and Emmy the Great. Get tickets on 0844 847 2475 or here.

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A new comedy dating show will launch on BBC Three, with the Daily Show's Rob Riggle signed up as part of the cast.

World Series of Dating will bring the overblown stylings of American sports to genuine British dating efforts. 

Bantley Kalu, Torchwood actor Tom Price and Balls of Steel's Thaila Zucchi will also feature as part of the commentary team. 

BBC commissioner Alan Tyler said: "It's dating, it's sport, it's comedy and we are delighted to have such a 'prestigious' tournament showcased on BBC Three.

"It's a huge bonus to have [Price and Zucchi's characters] Doyle MacManus and James Chetwynd Talbot on board to provide the kind of sensitive commentary that is a perfect companion to that tricky and unforgiving first date moment."

Joff and Simon said: “Working with a contemporary comedy icon like Rob Riggle is an absolute pleasure and we wrote the role with him in mind. Using a cross-genre combination, we have been able to utilise our reality and comedy experience to create a unique entity. BBC Three is the perfect home to celebrate an awkward right of passage we all go through, with humour and fun.”

The new show follows the success of Paddy McGuinness on ITV1's dating hit Take Me Out, while Tom Allen is creating a dating pilot for E4.

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E4 will be launching the long-awaited (read: it was slated to launch weeks ago) sketch show Cardinal Burns, starring Seb Cardinal and Dustin Demri-Burns, in March. You may have seen a rather good promo sketch launched on Valentine's Day from the pair which certainly seems to bode well for the general quality.

Here's a few rearranged questions with the boys plucked from an interview released from Channel 4. It was rather longwinded as interviews go (we know: pot, kettle, etc) so here are the highlights. Original is here if you have a spare two hours.

Give us an idea of some of the characters we can expect in the series.

Dustin: There's Switch, the privileged spoken word poet; Banksy, who's the artist, but a suburban swinger on the side, and incredibly boring; and Charlie, who prides himself on being the office flirt, and has been there for years, and then the new guy turns up, who's actually a temp only there for the week, and he changes Charlie's life. Seb: Then you've got Young Dreams, which is three of us, on a fashion internship. Dustin is a Japanese fashion student, and I'm a sloaney girl from Godalming, and we live in a flat together.

Have you tailored your material for the TV, or is it pretty similar to your live stuff?

Dustin: It's pretty different, really. You get away with different things when you're interacting with a live audience.

The series is a sketch show. What is it about sketches that appeals to you?

Seb: It's so much fun playing out all these different characters and genres. They're short little stories. It's so satisfying, playing so many different characters.

Dustin: We like telling stories, we like the narrative, so often our stuff is over-long, and we have to condense it. A lot of stuff gets left out.

Do you find it difficult to have to cut jokes out?

Seb: Yeah, the editing process is quite hard. You see a lot of the gags being cut down, to make the sketches more succinct. But left to our own devices, we'd probably end up with three or four sketches per show.

Is there an accepted maximum length for a sketch?

Dustin: If we had it our way probably not!

Seb: You meet a lot of producers who think a sketch should be no longer than three minutes. But the stuff that we really like, like the League of Gentlemen, Human Giant and stuff, takes its time. It depends on the nature of the sketch - you can have one that runs for six minutes, as long as the ideas keep coming in.

Have you ever died in front of a live audience?

Both: Oh yeah.

What's that experience like?

Dustin: Horrific. Once we were dressed as penguins - we'd spent about £90 on these penguin outfits, and we were doing this gig in Leicester Square. We went out and ticketed before, and we basically just got tourists in, and half of them couldn't understand what we were saying. It was a weird audience, and we had this weird planet Earth sketch, and we just didn't really know what we were doing. I just remember turning around and seeing the fear in all of our eyes, and these stupid outfits, and just going up and whispering "Shall we just leg it?" And they were just watching panic-stricken penguins whispering to each other.

Are there any specific comedy duos or sketch shows that you guys have really enjoyed over the years?

There's one at the moment from America - Tim and Eric Awesome Show. It's really funny and very surreal. Human Giant we both like - that's an MTV sketch show. Their sketches just go off on mad tangents. League of Gentlemen are great. And Big Train is our favourite sketch show of the last however-many-years.

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ITV's comedy rejuvenation is continuing with Him & Her's Russell Tovey the latest to land a pilot.

According to Broadcast Now, a non-TX pilot from the makers of Rev is being made.

The Job Lot will be set in a job centre, with indications that the show will chase a similar market to the channel's one returning comedy hit, Benidorm.

Miranda's Sarah Hadland will co-star in the Big Talk production. 

It's the latest in a series of new comedy ideas being trialled by the channel, following new pilots with John Barrowman, Jonathan Ross, Alistair McGowan, Dom Joly and Leigh Francis's character Keith Lemon.

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Hello sir, I think you need to talk about something, don’t you? Yes that’s right, the times are a changing and you need to take stock of this fact in the company of a comedic task force of thinkers. 

Well thankfully you’re in luck. A crack team of comics have decided to sort out once and for all just what is changing where and when at a secret location in Covent Garden next week. 

Led by Phil Kay, the latest PLEB Talks will see ‘quick thinkers’ Sara Pascoe, Naz Osmanoglu, Pat Cahill, Matt Highton, Chastity Butterworth and Kieran Boyd tackle one of the world’s toughest topics on February 29.

PLEB Talks, which has previously attempted to grapple with The Meaning of Life, is an online and live platform that gives comedic performers the chance to tackle the world’s biggest questions in their own comedic style. The evening will be presided over by resident academic hosts Nish Kumar and Ben Target.

Tickets are changing too, the price ranges from £3 to £13 depending on when you book. The meeting point will be revealed 24 hours before the event or upon booking. For more information visit facebook.com/plebtalks

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Tim Michin will play at this year’s Sonisphere festival, following Bill Bailey’s slot on a main stage last year.

The rock festival announced its line-up today, with Minchin just behind Kiss, Faith No More, and Queen on the bill.

While the festival always offers up a hefty comedy offering – last year included Howard Marks, Sean Hughes and Brendon Burns – it is the second year that a musical comedy act has had a slot on a major stage.

The festival will take place from the 6th to 8th of July at Knebworth, with Michin headlining on the Saturn stage on Saturday.

Read SSP’s review of last year’s Sonisphere here. 

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Comedian Mark Thomas is set to help launch a new creative space in Deptford on March 1 with a free show.

Thomas is set to recount his Extreme Rambling adventure in the Middle East where he walked the entire length of the Israeli Separation Barrier next Thursday at the Deptford Lounge.

The new space has been built as a hub for people in Deptford to learn new skills, meet like-minded people and organise community activities – as well as eat cake. 

Thomas, who will be recounting his Middle East experience at 7:30pm, will be joined by a number of other free shows throughout the week including author Steve Cole, who will be celebrating World Book Day with a reading of his space dinosaur series Astrosaurs, Astrosaurs Academy and Cows In Action earlier in the afternoon. 

Also for those who are musically minded there is also a free sing-along screening of Prince’s on Friday March 2.

The launch has been organized by The Albany, an independent Deptford-based charity which runs a thriving arts venue, will manage the launch of Deptford Lounge in partnership with Lewisham Council. 

For more information and to book tickets (free but reservation required) visit www.thealbany.org.uk